Have you ever grown anything using hydroponics? I haven’t, but I’m intrigued by Modern Sprout. I love how simple this windowsill box looks and can definitely imagine it in my kitchen busting at the seams with herbs. Place the planter near a sunny window, set the timer, add plants and organic fertilizer and plug it in. That’s it. Even my brown thumb might have trouble messing that up!
We dyed some of my favorite Easter eggs ever, they were striated! Bebe got her first haircut and came home looking like a totally different dog (I’m only just now getting used to her lack of scruff!). I retired my 5 1/2 year old MacBook Pro for this new beauty, and after a few weeks finally have everything transferred/installed/updated. I turned into a little bit more of the old lady I’m destined to become by hanging a few plates on the wall in my kitchen. Paused for a selfie or two. Spied this tongue in cheek moving truck on Broadway. Met a 17 year old (!) lab named Billie, after Billie Holiday naturally. Spent 4 glorious days in Austin. And spent another 4 in NYC.
Posted In my life
Geometric things resonate with me. Jewelry, tattoos, art – you name it. The Animal Alphabet in Primitive Portraits by Mat Mabe is something I’ve been thinking about since first seeing it several days ago, each face is so distinct and each animal feels so alive it might jump off the print. (via Design Milk)
I love crystals and gems in a very un-magical, un-hippy way – it’s more of a holy crap science connection between us. These scarves by Jen Altman for Cisthene are rocking my world in a big way. The 48 x 48″ beauties are created from her photography on crêpe de chine silk fabric and I think I wouldn’t mind turning them into everything from dresses to head wraps. Science!
01/ La Petit Prince, an imaginary world created for a boy with Muscular Dystrophy.
02/ Warp and Weft, an intricate series of portraits created from thread and nails.
03/ Invisiplug is sort of brilliant.
04/ Talk about space-saving, canvas furniture that hangs on your wall!
05/ Two clouds carrying human figures is suspended above travelers at a station in London.
06/ CMYK halftones recreated by hand.
07/ A recent look at the remains of the New York World’s Fair.
08/ A telephoto lens for your iPad!
09/ Picture our devices and gadgets in 100 years.
10/ Skies created from hundreds of stacked photos.
In case you missed it:
Tips&Tricks: Gardening + Landscaping
Emily Barletta
Crane & Canopy
Nicole Aquillano Ceramics
Wonderful Forever
Pants: Loose + Patterned
When In Austin
Austin, Texas is just about 400 miles or a 6 hour drive from Oklahoma City, but I’ve only visited a few times. When The Jealous Curator (aka Danielle Krysa) announced her Girl Crush workshop with the extremely talented Alyson Fox I knew I had to be a part of it in some capacity. So what does one Crush do for another? She volunteers to be an assistant for a few days of course.
Last Thursday I made the trek down to Austin and picked up Danielle at the airport before we headed out to Alyson’s stunning modern home in Spicewood. She and her husband helped to design it from the ground up and it’s incredible – not to mention the view that tranced me out more than once. Alyson was kind enough to invite us to stay with her for a few days, and each morning I woke up to the sun. I hadn’t slept as many hours as usual, but felt so well rested. (I think that definitely had something to do with with the sun and not a blaring alarm.)
Danielle and I spent Friday in the SoCo (South Congress) neighborhood. We had lunch at some of Austin’s famous food trailers (mahi mahi tacos and cheesy waffle fries!) before visiting a few galleries. grayduck Gallery was definitely a standout. But the day wouldn’t have been complete without a stop at Gordough’s Big Fat Donuts, I went with the Funky Monkey and definitely had a moment.
And then it was all about Girl Crush! We put together a gift bag for each lady with Alyson’s book A Shade of Red: One Lipstick and One Hundred Women
Saturday morning we started off with a bevy of fruit, pastries, and coffee before digging into the nitty gritty workshop Danielle has perfected. All of the ladies were so open with their creative triumphs and struggles, I walked away feeling rejuvenated and knowing I had to make more time for my own creativity again.
Alyson is not only a mind-blowing artist, she’s also amazing in the kitchen and made our entire meal (for 14!) herself. I have an APB out for her recipes.
The afternoon wrapped up with tasty cupcakes from Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop (who just won Cupcake Wars!) and several hours of post-Girl Crush chatting.
That night Danielle and I were lucky enough to stay over at artist Rebecca Rothfus‘ new home. She and her boyfriend had moved in literally a week prior to our visit! The space was amazing on so many levels – the mid-century just oozed out of it. (There’s even a built-in espresso maker in the kitchen!) I think I walked around most of the time with my mouth hanging open.
After a quick brunch with friends at Bouldin Creek Cafe I was back on the road to OKC. I’ll be back, Austin. I will be back.
Posted In my life
Sun Tile Mix Print Palazzo Pants by Ella Moss // Gwen Neon Lights Pants by Elizabeth and James // Garden Daydream Pants by Talulah
This is one of my favorite spring fashion trends – loose patterned pants that can be paired with a simple tee, strappy sandals, and a smile. Some are looser than others, but all look perfectly suited to wear for a good-to-the-last-bite brunch or cookout. Do you think you’ll be grabbing onto this style or have you already?
Marais Pant by Wilfred // Silk Trousers by Sea // Brushstroke Gessler Pants by Elizabeth and James
Culottes in Scarf Print by ASOS // Zig Zag Wide Leg Trousers by Topshop // Minos Culottes by Mother of Pearl
Posted In round up, wear it
Even though I don’t think I’ve ever visited a national park (sidenote: that needs to change), I’m definitely crushing on these Wonderful Forever maps from best Made Company. Choose from three park maps – Grand Teton, Yosemite, or Yellowstone – that are designed, silk screened, and numbered in St. Paul, MN.
Sometimes it sucks when the world feels small, and sometimes it’s amazing. I’d like to introduce you to the ceramic work of Nicole Aquillano, the younger sister of a girl I graduated high school with over a decade ago just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I love that I can see the influence of our town in Nicole’s work and am swept away by her attention to detail. Much of her work is based on the stability of home and the human need to maintain collections, both of which I can definitely relate to. (It’s a small world after all.)
Crane & Canopy is all that and a bag of chips, and I’m about to spill the many reasons why. Bedding is one of those final touches that make a room feel finished and pulled together, it’s also one of the more expensive elements in a bedroom. It seems like every search I’ve embarked upon has ended with me being in love with a set waaay out of my price range. (Followed by wine and chocolate.) Crane & Canopy has revolutionized all of that. First by creating their own designs, second by working directly with premium companies to cut out the middle men and lower costs.
But here’s the thing, just because the textiles are actually affordable doesn’t mean they’re lower in quality. All of Crane & Canopy‘s base fabrics use the highest quality cotton with 300 to 400 thread count weaves, optimized for softness while maintaining lifetime durability and longevity. And every piece has special touches like convenient corner ties, easy care zipper, exquisite piping, or beautiful embroidery. Not to mention the bold, graphic, and inspired prints created by their designers. (I picked up the Octavia for an upcoming project!)
The icing on the cake (or bag of chips) is that this spring Crane & Canopy has partnered with New York’s Safe Horizon to give back to domestic violence victims. For every bedding set purchased they’ll be donating a complete bedding set to to Safe Horizon’s shelter residents. I can only imagine how amazing it must feel to someone looking for even the most basic of human needs to safely and comfortably snuggle up at night.
Crane & Canopy also sells the most delicious sheets with colorful edging that I can’t wait to pick up, they look perfectly crisp for summer! Also just launched is their spring pop-up shop, filled to the brim with lovely modern things for your entire home – not just the bedroom.
The Sunset Duvet // The Ashbury Duvet Cover // The Noe Duvet Cover // The Grey Scalloped Embroidered Sheet Set
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, however all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Design Crush possible!
Posted In accents, do good, house and home, sponsored post